Families

Lorton, Va.-based Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA), a non-profit performing arts academy, is hosting their annual Spring Benefit Concert on Sun., Apr. 6 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The George Washington Masonic National Memorial at 101 Callahan Drive in Alexandria, Va. There will be performances by Metropolitan Youth Ballet, Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble, MSA’s Impulse Jazz Company, MSA Academy vocalists and live music by local musicians, like Voices of Liberty. Tickets are $75 per person or $100 per couple with proceeds benefitting MSA’s Alexandria studio’s Black Box Theater Project. A reception will immediately follow at 5:30 p.m. For tickets and information, go to www.metropolitanarts.org.

The MSA Benefit Concert ends at 5:30 p.m. with a reception immediately following at the George Washington Masonic Temple from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Concert tickets include entrance to the reception.

On Fri., Feb. 14, Occasionally Cake of Old Town Alexandria is offering FREE delivery of their Valentine’s Day sweets to anyone purchasing $30 or more, limited to a 20-mile radius from the Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon stores. This is a $25 value. You must order and pay in full before February 14th to receive FREE delivery. Call 703-780-2253 to order or visit www.occasionallycake.com for more information.

Occasionally Cake is offering four Valentine’s Day specials, including:

In honor of National Heart Month, Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Lorton and Alexandria, Va. is featuring their “Dance Your Heart Out” campaign, offering unlimited adult dance and mind/body classes throughout February for a special price of $110, including their newest class, Hot Hula. And MSA will donate 10 percent of all “Dance Your Heart Out” class fees to the American Heart Association. Schedules can be viewed at www.metropolitanarts.org or call 703.339.0444.

Now through Dec. 31, 2013, Occasionally Cake at 207 King St. in Old Town Alexandria, Va. is hosting cupcake decorating classes on Tuesdays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays, as scheduled and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Each class is two hours and instructors teach four different cupcake designs for take-home cupcakes, featuring holiday designs. Class is $60 per person. Students 11 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. Call (703) 647-9638 or visit www.occasionallycake.com for information.

Classes will teach Christmas tree, snowflake, Santa and reindeer cupcake designs. Class space is limited and based on availability. A 50 percent deposit is required upon making a reservation. Cupcake classes will teach piping, chocolate molds, as well as butter cream and fondant techniques.

Carmello’s of Old Town Manassas, Va. is offering a Christmas Eve dinner on Tues, Dec. 24 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and children, 12 and younger can eat free from Carmello’s children’s menu. A two-pound lobster, stuffed with crabmeat, shrimp and scallops will be offered for $48, and diners can also choose items from the new winter menu, which includes favorites like Wild Boar Ragout, Veal Agnolotti and Mar E Terra. For more reservations, go to www.carmellos.com.

“Carmello’s is a family-run restaurant, so we appreciate the importance of gathering the family around to enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner, which is why we like to offer our youngest patrons the opportunity to eat free,” said Miguel Pires, general manager of Carmello’s and Monza of Old Town Manassas, Va.

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria and Lorton, Va. will host A New Year’s Eve State of Mind Benefit Gala on Tues., Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Waterford at Springfield at 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield, Va. The family-fun gala will provide entertainment for the whole family. Tickets are $120 per adult for ages 21 years old and older; $79 for youths, 13 years old to 20 years old; $49 for children, 6 years old to 12 years old; and 5 years old and younger are free. Cost includes cabaret performances, live band, pre-dinner reception, holiday buffet, silent auction, dessert buffet, New Year’s Eve toast, party favors and all beverages.